January 2026 SCPRSA Newsletter

President's Report

Dear SCPRSA Members,

I am thrilled to begin 2026 with all of you as we continue to strengthen our network of public relations and communication professionals across South Carolina.

January is often a time for reflection and setting goals for the year ahead. Laurie Buchanan is credited with the quote, “Whatever you are not changing, you are choosing.” I challenge our members to reflect on this idea. What are you choosing to keep the same? What are you choosing to change? And do those choices align with who you want to be as a professional and individual?

This year, we will all face new challenges and opportunities to rethink how we tell stories, elevate voices and strengthen connections. Be intentional with your choices. Dare to try something new and even question the methods that have long been considered tried and true.

Together, we can advance SCPRSA as an organization where we not only celebrate each other’s successes, but also support one another through guidance, experience and shared knowledge. I am excited to grow alongside you and can’t wait to see what we accomplish together.

Cheering you on,

Meredith Houck

President, SCPRSA

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Board of Directors

Meet your 2026 Board of directors 

The nominees for the chapter’s Board of Directors listed below have been elected by chapter members to serve in 2026. Congratulations to all!

In addition to these board members, the chapter is still seeking nominees for one open position: Accreditation Chair. If you are interested in serving or would like to nominate a colleague, please contact the chapter’s Nominations Chair, Laura Kirkpatrick.

2026 SCPRSA Board of Directors

2026 EX-OFFICIO ROLES

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Mercury Awards

Call for Entries 

The SCPRSA Mercury Awards competition, recognizing 2025 work by communicators in South Carolina, is now open and accepting entries for Mercury Awards, Silver Wing Awards and Individual Awards.

The SCPRSA Mercury and Silver Wing Awards are open to anyone working in communications or public relations in South Carolina, including public relations students enrolled at any college or university within the state.

• Mercury Awards recognize public relations programs and campaigns.

• Silver Wing Awards recognize outstanding public relations tactics.
  
  

Programs or tactics must have been implemented between Jan. 1, 2025, and Dec. 31, 2025. The deadline to submit entries for the Mercury and Silver Wing Awards is Fri., Feb. 20, at 11:59 p.m.

ENTRY INFORMATION FOR MERCURY AWARDS AND SILVER WING AWARDS

SUBMIT ENTRIES FOR MERCURY AWARDS AND SILVER WING AWARDS

In addition, SCPRSA annually honors individuals who demonstrate excellence in public relations and business, PR education, and service to SCPRSA and the community. Categories and detailed criteria are available in the call for nominations. Nominations should be submitted via email to Matt Long, SCPRSA's judging chair. Individual award nominations will be accepted through Fri., Feb. 27, at 5 p.m.

ENTRY INFORMATION FOR NOMINATIONS FOR INDIVIDUAL AWARDS

Also, be sure to mark your calendar for the Mercury Awards celebration on Wed., Apr. 15, at Segra Park in Columbia.

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PRSSA News

USC Selected to Host the 2026 PRSSA Southeast District Conference - Sponsorship Support 

The University of South Carolina’s (USC) PRSSA Chapter has been selected to host the 2026 PRSSA Southeast District Conference on Fri., Feb. 27, and Sat., Feb. 28, 2026, in Columbia. Each year, only one chapter in the Southeast is chosen to organize this prestigious regional event, and USC is proud to bring it to South Carolina.

SCPRSA members and organizations are invited to support the conference through financial sponsorships or in-kind donations—including refreshments, merchandise or printed materials. Sponsorship offers brand visibility, program ads, swag-bag opportunities and direct engagement with the next generation of communicators.

For conference updates, follow @uofsc_prssa on Instagram or visit the conference website. 

For questions or to explore sponsorship opportunities, contact Bridget Tracy, conference coordinator, at [email protected]. 

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Membership

Welcome Members

The South Carolina chapter welcomed new member Adriane Radeker of the South Carolina Department of Transportation in Columbia and returning member Preston Grisham of Amazon in West Columbia. We now have 148 members.

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PRSA ICON

2026 PRSA ICON Super Saver rates

Planning to attend PRSA ICON in Orlando, FL, Oct. 18–20? Register by Mar. 2 to lock in the Super Saver Rate! PRSA members can save $550 off the regular registration fee by registering early.

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Professional Development

PRSA has a lineup of webinars this January and February—many of them free for members! Don’t miss these opportunities to sharpen your communications skills and gain insights from some of the industry’s top experts.

Jan. 27, 3 to 4 p.m. ET: Ghostwriting, Meet AI: Build a Custom GPT That Captures Your Exec’s Voice

Jan. 28, 2 to 3 p.m. ET: PRSA IPA Business-Building Webinar Series: Jan. 2026

Jan. 29, 3 to 4 p.m. ET: Behind the Mic: The Power and Potential of Health-Related Podcasts

Feb. 9, 1 to 2 p.m. ET: AI Pulse: February Briefing

Feb. 25, 2 to 3 p.m. ET: PRSA IPA Business-Building Webinar Series: Feb. 2026

Feb. 26, 3 to 4 p.m. ET: AI Prompting Strategies for PR Results

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Calendar of Events

Wed., Feb. 11 at 8 a.m. ET: Conversations Over Coffee, Virtual

Fri., Feb. 27 to Sat., Feb. 28: PRSSA Southeast District Conference, University of South Carolina, Columbia

Wed., Apr. 15: SCPRSA Mercury Awards, Segra Park, Columbia 

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